The Rejected Werewolf Princess

CAMILLA'S POV

I was anxious. I had woken up that way and since the moment I got out of bed, it had been bubbling under my skin. My entire body felt alive and poised for the moment something were to happen. I didn’t know what I was waiting for or what that something could be but it was like my subconscious knew and was forcing me to prepare for it.

I knew I wasn’t the only one because I passed Christine in the halls and she was so lost in thought that she didn't even stop to acknowledge me. Something felt completely off and I knew it was only a matter of time until I figured out what it was. I made sure to keep a close eye on Marie and Peggy but the truth was that neither of them had left their rooms since last night.

“Camilla,” Ryker's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked up at him. “Aren’t you going to answer?”

We were on the dining table and I had been absentmindedly pushing my food around my plate. I gave him a confused look and he gestured over to Riley who I could see was staring at me expectantly and waiting for a response.

“Could you repeat the question?” I asked and I saw her smile falter a little with worry. “I had zoned out for a hot second.”

“I was wondering if Ryker told you about my offer. We haven't been able to spend time like a family and I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I was hoping we could just take a day off and just have fun. It is alright if you don” want to.”

A refusal was at the tip of my tongue but looking at her, I couldnt bring myself to say those words. It reminded me of kicking a bruised puppy. I turned to Ryker with a raised brow because one thing I didn't miss in her statement was the fact that Ryker knew about this and didn’t prepare me for the question.

His lips didn’t move but I heard his voice clear in my head. “l wanted to refuse her too but you know how hard it is tc say no to Riley. She thought we were avoiding her because of what happened between Damien and Riley.”

“That isn't true.”

“Do you want to try explaining that to her? I cannot tell her what is happening and unless I have a good reason as to why we don’t want to spend time with her, it feels like we are. It's just a few hours of one day, we can spare the time for family. Besides, the girls dont have school today, it would be fun.”

“Okay,” I said and he sighed I relief but I stopped him. “What about Juan and Christine? In what world do you think that Juan would agree to this? He doesn’t want to see Damien after what happened.”

“I'll talk to Juan, you just focus on everything else.”

“This better not go to shit,” I warned before cutting off the mind link and turning to Riley. She had been watching us with fear and apprehension in her eyes. “Today seems like a fine day to go out. We wouldn't want to veer too far fron the palace so I was thinking we could have lunch on the terrace. There is a beautiful view up there.”

I told Christine about the lunch after breakfast and she just stared at me with blank eyes. I explained everything tha happened in detail hoping that it would make the news easier to swallow but her expression remained neutral.

“Say something”

“Is there anything I can say?” she asked and I sighed. “I'll come for the lunch if that is what she wants. I have nothing to hold against her but good luck convincing Juan. He doesn’t want to see either of them. He tends to hold grudges.” “Ryker said he would handle it. Look, I know this isn’t the best thing in the world and it is probably the last thing yot wanted to hear- me too- but we have to do this for her. You don’t have to, I completely understand if you refuse because she isn't your family but I have to.”

“I already said I would come, Camilla,” she laughed pushing to her feet. “She might not be my family but she is yours and she is Ryker’s and that makes her important to me too. I just need a few minutes to get changed. I'll meet you al up there.”

“Thank you,” I whispered clutching her hands in relief. “I have to go get the girls ready. We will wait for you.”

I left her alone and got the girls ready. Thankfully, it didn't take a lot of time seeing as their excitement on spending time with everyone was enough to keep them seated long enough so I could dress them. Audrey insisted on wearing a massive princess dress and I didn’t even have the heart to refuse her. There was very little I could say no to if she asked.

By the time we were ready, it was already five minutes after the start time and we made our way to the terrace. I was surprised to see Ryker and Juan already there. Christine was already seated behind them and it was clear that she was anxious. Juan had a frown on his face and his hands were crossed over his chest. His frown cracked a little when Audrey went skipping over to him to show him her dress.

He looked up at me for a second in between talking to my daughter. “I want to preface this by saying I do not want tc be here”

I sighed. “I know.”

“But if everyone stays in their lane then this might just go well. I don't want him looking at or speaking to her” “Juan,” I began but he cut me off.

“I'm dead serious and you know it. I don’t want to see him especially not after he sent her to the physician's office.” “I thought we already established the fact that she was sent to the physician's office because something was done tc her and not because of the rejection.”

“I established nothing. I'm doing this as a favor and the moment he pisses me off, I'm out and so is Christine.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

I didn’t get the chance to respond because Riley and Damien walked in. There was a bit of tension in the air but ther was nothing I could do about it. We sat Damien as far away from Christine as possible but it was still a small table and all one had to do was lift their eyes and they would be looking at each other. It was clear that they were both trying not to glance over and I could see Riley fidgeting in her seat as if realizing what a bad idea this was.

I wanted to assure her that it would be fine but she wasn’t even seated next to me. I glanced over at Ryker. “This will be a disaster. I can smell it coming”

“It will be fine,” I wasn't sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.

The meals came out and that was enough to get everyone's attention off things. Audrey filled the air with her chatter as usual and for a few minutes, there was some peace and serenity to the dinner. I actually started to believe that maybe things were going to be fine until Riley spoke.

“How are you, Christine?” Christine stilled at her words. “I just- I know you had to see the physician and I wanted to know if you were okay.”

“I'm... fine,” her response was curt and to the point. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

“Do you know what happened to you? The maids come up with the most absurd pieces of gossip and I just wanted tc ask you personally.”

“Riley,” I whispered in a silent warning. If Christine answered, there was a tendency that the entire dinner might blow to shit.

“It is completely alright if she doesn’t want to answer it,” Riley ignored my warning. “I just wanted to know what happened. I was worried about you.”

Christine dropped her fork and leaned back in her chair. “My body was unprepared to handle the rejection and I passed out. It was nothing, I just needed a minute to regroup and I am fine.”

“What rejection?” she asked momentarily confused. “I thought-" she trailed off when she finally realized what was going on. Her eyes widened and she turned to Damien. “Did you?”

“Riley,” this time it was Ryker who spoke. “Now is not the time please. You can have that conversation much later” Awkward silence blanketed the table. No one said a word- not even Audrey or Aurora. I wanted to get the hell out an thankfully, I got the chance when I heard someone clear their throat. I turned to the source of the noise and found a guard there holding Peggy back from coming towards us. She looked scared and frantic.

“Excuse me please,” I whispered not even waiting before rushing over to her. She looked pale, her forehead was covered in sweat and she was fidgeting with her hands. “Are you alright? Is everything okay?”

“I remember,” she whispered and my brows furrowed.

“What are you talking about?” she opened her mouth but her words were unintelligible. I grabbed both of her shoulders and led her towards the wall. What I did was insane but I sat on the floor with her.

I could feel the eyes of the guards on me but in that moment, I didn't care. Peggy looked like someone had sucked her soul right out of her.

I heard Ryker's footsteps and smelled him the moment he got close to me. “What is going on?”

“I don't know,” I admitted before turning back to Peggy. “You have to tell me what is going on and you have to make yourself as clear as possible while doing it. What exactly is wrong?”

“I remember what happened to Marie. That girl, that person, that isn't my daughter. My daughter is dead.”